Bicycle cleat cover

ABSTRACT

A cleat cover for protecting and adding traction to a cleat plate of a bicycle shoe is disclosed. The cleat cover comprises a cover body that includes a main opening at a middle portion and an extended opening at a peripheral edge. A bridge area is present at the side of the cover body for conserving grip on the cleat. The opening of the cover body allows a bicycle pedal to lock into a bicycle cleat while allowing the cover body to remain on the cleat. The cover body covers a plurality of screws and parts that attach the cleat plate. The cleat cover allows a bicyclist to leave the cover on the cleat at all times; when riding, at stops, and when walking on various hard surfaces. Thus, it prevents the cleat plate from unnecessary wear when the bicycle shoe contacts the ground. The bicyclist does not have to remember to remove and replace the cover. The cover body can be releasably engaged with the cleat on the bicycle shoe.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application (PPA) No. 61/346,905, filed May 21, 2010 by the present Inventor, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to cleat covers, and more particularly to bicycle shoe cleat covers for protecting a cleat plate of a bicycle shoe.

2. Discussion of Related Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant (others are also discussed below):

U.S. Patents Pat. No. Title Issue Date Patentee 7,472,498 Cleat assembly for Jan. 06, 2009 Speedplay, Inc. clipless pedal 6,494,117 Pedal/cleat assembly Dec. 17, 2002 Speedplay, Inc. D451261 Bicycle shoe cleat Dec. 04, 2001 Patrick Maher cover 5,031,342 Device for enabling Jul. 16, 1991 R. Igor Crook walking and protecting cleats on cycling shoes for quick release (clipless) pedals 5,007,185 Cleat cover for bicycle Apr. 16, 1991 Margaret A. shoe Lazarski 4,807,372 Cleated shoe walking Feb. 28, 1989 Hannon L. McCall sole 4,055,005 Cover for bicycling Oct. 25, 1977 Robert H. Meinhart shoe to provide a walking surface

Cyclists often wear special cycling shoes with fitted cleats on the soles of the shoes that latch on to the bicycle's pedals when riding. Attaching the shoes to the pedals allows the cyclist to increase and harness power when pushing down and pulling up on the pedals. For cycling shoes, the cleat attaches and detaches to a compatibly designed pedal. Cleat covers are made to protect the cleats from wear when they make contact with various hard surfaces.

The inventor has recognized that existing cleat covers do not have access in the middle of the cover to allow the user to leave the cover on the cleated shoe while riding. Existing covers must be removed from the cleats of the shoes whenever the cyclist mounts the bicycle to ride in order to lock the shoes' cleats to the pedals. Without covers, the cleats are exposed to damage when the cyclist makes stops where the cleats make contact with the ground. This also poses a safety hazard to the cyclist as the metal cleat plate can slip on pavement and cause the cyclist to fall. Further, the existing covers, once removed, must be reattached to the cleats of the shoes to protect the cleats when the cyclist dismounts from the bicycle to walk. As such, bicycle cleat covers currently on the market do not allow the cyclist to leave the cover on the cleats of the shoes to protect the cleats at all times, including while riding and walking. Presently, if a cyclist wants to protect the cleats he/she must carry the cleat covers at all times when riding, and must put them on when dismounting to walk on various surfaces. This is not only inconvenient, but also damages the cleats and poses a safety hazard to the cyclist when the cleats make contact with the ground. Further, existing cleat covers do not allow the screws that fasten the cleat together to be retained in the cover should they come loose while the cyclist is riding or walking with the cleated shoes.

This invention improves upon the prior art by allowing the cleat cover to be worn while riding the bicycle or while walking. This invention also protects the cleat plate from wear even at short stops. The invention's composition also provides traction to help a cyclist support him or her at a stop, or to launch the bike when starting to ride. Further, loose cleat screws, if any, could be retained within the cover so that they can be tightened at a later time. Since the invention can be left on the cleat, the cyclist does not have to remember to put it on to walk, or take it off to resume cycling. When walking, this invention can protect the cleat plate (FIG. 2 item 16) and give traction, especially on hard, flat, or nearly flat surfaces.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a bicycle pedal 12. The bicycle pedal 12 is shaped to allow a cleat (not shown) worn by a user to be fastened by positioning the cleat (not shown) over the bicycle pedal 12 and by pressing the feet slightly to latch the cleat (not shown) in place. The bicycle pedal includes a bicycle pedal shaft 14 that extends diametrically through the bicycle pedal, for attachment to a pedal crank (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a cleat plate 16 which is mounted to the bottom of a bicycle shoe 18. The cleat plate 16 is fastened to the rest of the cleat by means of a plurality of screws 20.

One prior art described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,117 issued to Bryne on Dec. 17, 2002 defines an improved clipless pedal/cleat assembly having a float range that is easily and precisely adjusted. The assembly includes a pedal body and a cleat body configured to conformably mate together, and it further includes two spaced-apart engagement recesses mounted on one of the two bodies, preferably the pedal body, and a tongue assembly mounted on the other of the two bodies, thus preferably the cleat body. The tongue assembly is configured for limited rotation relative to the body on which it is mounted, about a rotation axis generally normal to the sole of the rider's shoe when the pedal body and the cleat body are mated together. The tongue assembly includes two spring-biased tongues configured for selective engagement with the two engagement recesses. When two tongues of the tongue assembly are engaged with the two engagement recesses, the tongue assembly is rotationally locked relative to the engagement recesses, such that rotation of the cleat body relative to the pedal body, about an axis normal to the sole of the rider's shoe, causes the tongue assembly to rotate relative to the particular body on which it is mounted, until a stop surface of the tongue assembly inhibits further relative rotation. Further rotation of the cleat body relative to the pedal body urges the tongues out of engagement with the engagement recesses, to release the cleat from the pedal. However, the Bryne invention does not provide a cover for protecting the screws and other parts of the cleat from wear, or retaining loose screws. In addition, since this cover cannot be left on while the user is riding, at a stop, the bicycle shoe cleat comes into contact with the ground, which happens quite often, the cleat will be worn out faster, unless the cleat is protected.

Another prior art described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,185 issued to Lazarski on Apr. 16, 1991 directs to a cleat cover for use on a bicycle shoe equipped with a pair of bicycle pedal engaging shoe cleats. The cleat cover is formed as an elastomeric shallow oval cup shaped housing for engaging, covering and protecting said front and rear cleats. The cup shaped housing defines a parabolic toe portion cup for receiving the front cleat, and a rectangular heel portion cup for snugly receiving and covering the rear cleat. The cleats are enclosed and protected by the cover to adapt the bicycle shoe for temporary use as a walking shoe. The Lazarski invention still lacks to maintain a proper grip when a user makes a short stop. As in the previously mentioned invention, this prior art also does not allow the user to leave the cover on the shoe's cleat at all times. It forces the rider to remember to place it back on when exiting the bicycle to walk, making it inconvenient for the rider.

Another prior art taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,210 issued to Lotteau on Nov. 3, 1981 describes a device for providing a positive pushing or pulling connection between a bicycle pedal and the shoe worn by the cyclist, which includes a cylindrically projecting assembly to be attached to the pedal and a cylindrically recessed assembly to be fitted into the sole of the shoe. The recessed assembly is provided with radially inwardly directed lugs which can be received into a series of peripheral L-shaped slots in the assembly attached to the pedal so that by partial rotation of the foot a bayonet-type connection is made between the cyclist shoe and the pedal. Lotteau's invention fails to address the need to provide a cover which would allow the cleat to lock with the bicycle pedal for protecting the cleat plate from wearing. This invention also does not allow the user to leave the cover on while riding and when stopping to walk. It does not allow for the protection of the cleat plate from damaging wear at stops when the cleated shoe must make contact with hard surfaces numerous times.

Therefore, there is a need for a cleat cover that would allow the user to leave it on the cleated shoe at all times, and also one that could provide retention for loose screws. Such a cleat cover would provide a proper grip when the user makes a short stop, as well as protect the cleat from wear whenever the shoe makes contact with hard, flat surfaces. There is also a need for a protective cover that will allow a bicycle rider to walk with the cleated shoe without damaging the cleat. The rider should be able to mount the bicycle without having to remove the covers from the shoes and carry them. Moreover, the invention would be able to latch to the cleat to protect the cleat plate from wear. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a cleat cover for protecting a cleat plate on a bicycle shoe cleat and providing better traction while walking or standing. The cleat cover includes a cover body. The cover body is provided with a main opening at a middle portion with an extended opening at a peripheral edge. A bridge area is present on the cover body for conserving grip on the cleat. The cover body can be made of plastic, rubber, or other materials. The cleat cover can be worn while riding the bicycle and also while walking. The cleat cover can protect the cleat plate from wear, and also provides traction to help safely support a cyclist at stops and while walking. The main opening at the middle portion of the cover body and the extended opening at the peripheral edge allow the pedal and the pedal shaft the necessary space to engage and lock into the cleat, while allowing the cover body to remain on the cleat.

The bicycle pedal is shaped to allow a cleat worn by a user to be fastened by positioning the cleat over the bicycle pedal and by pressing the feet slightly to latch the cleat in place. The bicycle pedal includes a bicycle pedal shaft that extends diametrically through the bicycle pedal for attachment to a pedal crank. The cleat is fastened on to the bottom of the bicycle shoe by means of a plurality of screws. The cleat cover can bring sufficient grip with the surface when a user makes a stop. Also, the cover body covers a plurality of screws and parts that attach the cleat plate. Thus the cover body provides protection for the cleat plate on the bicycle shoe. The cleat cover needs to be detached only when service, adjustment, or replacement is required for the cleat. Since there is no need to attach or remove the cleat cover every time the bicyclist gets on and off the bicycle, this invention is safer and more convenient for the bicyclist. Normally, during a short stop, the bicyclist may rest the shoes on the ground. Over time, this will wear some of the metal off the cleats. In addition, a bicyclist may not always remember to put the cover on when getting off the bicycle. Thus, the cleat coming into contact with the ground will wear off much faster. With this invention, such problems can be avoided or minimized.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art, illustrating a bicycle pedal;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the prior art, illustrating a bicycle cleat mounted on to the bottom of a bicycle shoe;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating a cleat cover;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the invention, illustrating the shape of a cover body; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention, illustrating a bridge area;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a cleat cover 10 for attaching to a cleat (not shown) on a bicycle shoe (not shown). The cleat cover 10 has a cover body 22. The cover body 22 is provided with a main opening 24 at a middle portion 26 and an extended opening 28 at a peripheral edge 30. A bridge area 32 is present on the cover body 22 for conserving grip on the cleat (not shown). The main opening 24 at the middle portion 26 of the cover body 22 allows the bicycle pedal (not shown) to lock into a cleat (not shown) while allowing the cover body 22 to remain on the bicycle shoe (not shown). The cover body 22 covers a plurality of screws (not shown) and parts that attach the cleat plate (not shown). The cleat cover 10 needs to be detached only when service, adjustment, or replacement of the cleat plate (not shown) is required.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a cover body 22 of the cleat cover 10. The cover body 22 can be made of materials such as plastic or rubber. The cover body 22 is polygonal in shape with more than three sides. The cover body 22 includes a main opening 24 and an extended opening 28. The main opening 24 allows the bicycle pedal (not shown) to pass through. The extended opening 28 allows room for the pedal shaft (not shown). The cover body 22 can be releasably engaged with the cleat (not shown) on the bicycle shoe (not shown). The cover body 22 provides a supporting surface when the bicycle shoe (not shown) contacts the ground.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the cleat cover 10, illustrating a bridge area 32. At one of the peripheral edges 30 of the cover body 22 includes the extended opening 28. The extended opening 28 makes room for the bicycle pedal shaft (not shown). The extended opening ends at the bridge area 32. The bridge area 32 is for conserving grip on the cleat (not shown) of the bicycle shoe.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. While a particular form of the cleat cover has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, materials, methods, structures and the like that will fall within the scope of the invention. It should be clearly understood that other cleat covers are also possible. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims. 

1. A cleat cover for protecting a cleat on a bicycle shoe, comprising: a cover body having a main opening at a middle portion and an extended opening at a peripheral edge thereof; and a bridge area for conserving grip on the cleat; whereby the opening of the cover body allows a bicycle pedal to lock into a bicycle cleat while allowing the cover body to remain on the cleat, and covering a plurality of screws and parts that attach the cleat plate.
 2. The cleat cover of claim 1 wherein the cover body is in polygonal shape.
 3. The cleat cover of claim 1 wherein the cover body may possess more than three sides.
 4. The cleat cover of claim 1 wherein the main opening allows the bicycle pedal to pass through.
 5. The cleat cover of claim 1 wherein the extended opening makes room for a bicycle pedal shaft.
 6. The cleat cover of claim 1 may be made of rubber material.
 7. The cleat cover of claim 1 may be made of plastic material.
 8. The cleat cover of claim 1 wherein the cover body may be releasably engaged with the cleat on the bicycle shoe.
 9. The cleat cover of claim 1 wherein the cover body to provides a supporting surface when the bicycle shoe contacts the ground surface. 